Apparatus for dispensing liquid concentrates from their original containers



1960 D. J. FELDMAN EI'AL 2,955,726

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING LIQUID CONCENTRATES FROM THEIR ORIGINALCONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 12, 1957 INVENTO DANIEL J.FELOMAN (NO F: 1-52 WATEe SUPPLY T4 are A r-ro ENEY 1960 D. J. FELDMANETAL 2955726 APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING LIQUID CONCENTRATES FROM THEIRORIGINAL CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 12, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.DANIEL J. Fewmnu Aura srsz 2/ ZAH THE/E A rrozuer DISPENSING LIQUIDCONCENTRATES D. J. FELDMAN ET AL 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 APPARATUS FOR FROMTHEIR ORIGINAL CONTAINERS Filed NOV. 12, 1957 w W. 4,. m m 0 MN 0 E H WM w A 5 A CG 0 W0 2 I l I I I .i m i= mm s w H mm a. T E A m 0 5% 74sauna: SWITCH #Danin JaEeldman, Pittsburgh, and Peter Zizan,Wilkinsburg, Pa.; said Zizan assignor to said Feldman Filed Nov. 12,1957, Set. No. 695,65'6 -16 Claims. (Cl. 222--'-76) Thisihvehtion'relates generally to coined controlled apparatus fordispensing liquids such as drinks, soups gandthe'like and moreparticularly to the dispensing of -1i'quids from their originalcontainers together with contfolsffor"aiitorriatically switching from anempty original Coiittine'rto a full original container Withoutserviceinterruption. i i

Oheof theproblems in conjunction with the dispensing er 7 liquids is useof special containers made specifically 1 for the dispenser whichrequires cleaning and sterilization before it'canbe refilled andtransported to the dispensing niachin'e. These special containers whenrefilled frequently retiuire refrigeration during their transportationto the dispenser. This mode is costly as well as being difiicult'toperform and even with the greatest precautions contamination can occurwhich not only destroys the bateh but'may'also lead toloss ofcustomer's,I

Thisjii'oblem is answered in part by vast changes inthed'esign'bfthellispensing machine so thatthepriginal s'yriip 6r6ohcentrate containen canned and-sealed when filled by the manufactureris delivered to the dispensing nia'g'ihihe, then punctured and placed inservice. This original syru can needs no refrigeration and its' lid istil'e anedfbefo're being punctured and placed in service. since his no trefrig'erated, it should be cooled before 'Bin" hispensed as a colddrink. Thus two or more such 'originalcans are-"employed to serve thesame drinkaii'd "while oh'e is being emptied through the dispensingmac'hine'th'e others are being cooled. This necessitates an automatict'ransfer of the dispensing apparatus from one original-can to the otherWithout interruption'of service which is an important object of thisinvention.

"Another object i sthe provision of mountingjmeans for supporting theoriginal cans from whichthe'liq'uidsfare dispensed. These mounting meansmedicines-assumes to apply initial pressure 'to'the sealing-capenclosin'g the pressure'and dispe'nsihg'lines passing into the cans.

Another object is the provision of the cap fdrn'circling and sealing thepunctured entrance tothe canaiidTo-r carrying the pressure anddispensing lines tothe can. This cap maybe 'a me'tal co'net'o the nd-ofthehanor a cap with an "annular seal to seal around'the punctured =hole.=Both kinds of caps'require pressure to hold them in sealed relationwhich is preferably a mechanicahmeans such as fixed *abutr'n'ent's or awedge or screw 'to apply initial sealing pressure between the 'cap andoan. The finalspressur'e may be obtained by the dispensing fluidpressure. I

A'nother'obje'ct is the provision of an'iniprovedpihch valve to collapseaflxiblehose and thus controlthe flow of 1 liquid therethrough.

Another object is the provision of an electrical control circuitinitiated by fluid pressure to control the'di'spensing operation and thetransfer from an empty 'ca'nto another can without interrupting and soon'without inter- 'rupting' the dispensingservice.

followingdescription and claims,

Pa t 'i'ice 2 The accompanyingdrawin gs show for the purpose of-eiren'1plificatiohwithout limiting the invention and claims thereto,certain practical embodiments of the invention wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the fluid pressurediseharge fromtwoori'ginal'cans serving the same liquid 'to be dispensed. I

Fig. 2 is a viewin side elevation showing the cans'in a refrigeratorhooked up'for service. H

Fig. 3 is a'circuit diagram that cooperates with 'the structureof'Figs.1 and 2 'to control the operation of "beef flavor, chocolate and thelike to be dispensed are in *ordinary "gallon cans and their contentsWeight approxirria'tely' seven or eight pounds. These cans have ends"that arepressed in circular steps as indicated at 3 which are 'fo'un'donniost cans and are flexible. it is often said that if'the cane'ndbulges outwardly when thecan has not otherwise been damaged, thecontents are'probably spoiled creating fermentation and producing-a gaspressur'e suiiicien'tl y strong to expand the can end. Thus the can whenheririeticallysealed can expand whensupplied with fluid pressurewhichprinciple ofexpansion is cin- ';r' loyed' to 1ock'the original cans inplace in the dispenser and to "aid in "maintaining the seal. The se'alis in the fo'rin'bf the "cap '4 which has attached thereto the annularelastomer 5 that may be a washer of suitable "dii'rie'nsions that sealswith theca n end Sand the cap}! and is preferably 'pla'ced o'nthe centerand inner flat'ring'of thg cgan erid 3 surrounding the punctured opening6 to Other objects and advantages appear hereinafter in the '-sal the"sa'lme'wlien embraced by abutments. The can 'moliiiting"abutmentseinployed as exemplary m'e'mbersin this disclosure arethethahrielihmbers 7 and the angle Iiiel'nbr 8. The cap 4 hasthe longdispensingtube 10 fwhi'ch is preferably astifr stainless steel tube butmay 'h'ave' afie'xible hottom whippiiig'e'nd. The cap'4 is alsoproviaedwithe small nipple '11 to connect'iiuid pressure t'otheinterior'of'the cans as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. p

The outlet'or liquid'dis'pensing pipe nnas'eonnec'ted ther'eto'the line12fwhich line is preferablya flexible rub- "ber 'hos'e which passes downthrough the fixed and movable abutments "13 and '14 respectively of'thedischarge cdntr'olipinch valves. Each pinch'valve has a base 1'5 withupwardlyxtendingtends. One end forms the stationa'ry-abutment 13 and isprovided with the Wings "16 each having aligned round holes to receivethe tubes 12. For convenience'the holes are slotted at the top as shownat 18 to permit the tube to be inserted between the abut- .me'ntswithout threading it through the holes. These hoses '12 "continue to acommon manifold junction 20 .where hot or cold Water is supplied Withtheselected-concentr ate to produce the hot soup or the cold drink.

As'shownfin Fig. 2 the smaller enclosure 21 is a refrigerator having aback or door 22 that seals against fthe perimeter seal 23. The junction20 has an insulated boar-d 2j4 with thefdelivery tubes 25 that protrudethereem. The deer 2 2's notched at 26 to Seal on the board -24 and*leave -th'e'de'livery tubes undisturbed.

'Below the refr'ig'erator the dispenser cabinet 27, that -is-rep'r"es'ent'e'cl "by the large enclosure, is provided with the waterheater 28. The delivery tubes '25 ektend throgh the open 3|) in thehooded recess 3 1'whe're the "rs insert their p'ap'erciips to receivethe drink marshes have selected, which structure is oh theback of thelarge door 32 that closes the large cabinet 27. A waste pail 33 hangsunder the refrigerator to catch any dripping from the hooded recess 31.

The top of the cabinet carries the pump or compressor members 34 ofwhich there may be several to supply fluid under pressure which ispreferably air to each of the cans 1, 2 and 2 containing the concentrateto be dispensed. A pressure regulator 35 is provided for each group ofcans which may be divided in groups of one, two, three or more for eachgroup. If only one pump is provided then the regulator 35 must also havea check valve. If a pump or regulator is provided for each can then theregulator 35 need not have a check valve. In any event a single pump isshown and each regulator 35 supplies one group of cans with air underpressure. The air passes from the pump 34 to the regulator 35 throughthe line 36. The pump may be provided with a pressure control 37 toregulate the motor 38 operating the compressor 34. p

'The line 40 carries the air under pressure from the regulator 35 toeach of the cans of the group which in Fig. 1 are the two cans 1 and 2.The line 40 is in each instance connected to the check valve 41 and onthe opposite side of the check valve is connected by a transparent tubethat connects to the outer end of the nipple 1-1 in the cap 4. When eachcan is inserted between the abutments or rails 7 and 7 or 7 and 8 whichare gauged from each other so that the mere insertion of the can betweenthese rails is sufficient to seal the cap. The flanges of the rail arecut away at 43 to receive the tubes 12 and 42. The pressure of airadmitted past the check valves 41 to the cans thus expands their endsagainst the abutments 7 or 8 and the intervening cap 4 to lock the cansin place. They are exceedingly difiicult to remove when they have beenexpanded by air under pressure. The concentrate in the can underpressure replaces the air in the discharge tube 12 and the air reservoirremains in the top of the can.

The pinch valve 44 comprises the base 15 in the fixed abutment 13 andthe movable abutment 14 which is mounted on the armature 45 having astem section 46 and lateral projections 47. The stem 45 extends into thehollow center 48 of the field coil 50. A C-shaped core member 51 is alsomounted on the base 15 and has inwardly projecting ends 52 thatcorrespond to the lateral wings 47 on the armature 45. Insulation strips53 are inserted in each end of the core 51 and the field coil isinserted therebetween. The coil has a square hollow center 54 to receivea tube 55 of the same shape. The armature stem 46 is also of the samecross section and slides in the tube 55. The core and stem of thearmature are bored out at 56 and 57 to receive the helical spring 58which forces the armature 45 outwardly when the coil 50 is notenergized. The spring 58 has sufficient strength to cause the movableabutment 14 to pinch the line 12 and completely seal ofi the line 12 bythis pinch valve action against the fluid pressure pumped into the can.The armature 45 has an extension 59 that passes through the abutment topermit one to mechanically release the pinch valve 44 when testing ordrawing the line. i

The air line 36, from the pump 34 to the regulator 35, is also connectedto bellows switch 60 as shown in Fig. 3. The bellows switch 60 comprisesthe bellows member 61 that engages the button 62 that pushes the movablearm of the switch 63 to open the back contact 64. If there is no airpressure the switch 63 is closed. In actual practice this switch isusually a micro-snap action switch. If the can of concentrate that isbeing dispensed becomes emptied the air rushes out of the can throughthe discharge line 12 and the corresponding pinch valve which suddenlydepletes the air pressure in the line. This depletion of air pressurerelaxes the bellows 61 drawing it away from the button 62 and thuspermitting closing of 4 the circuit passing through the back contact 64of the pressure switch 63.

The circuit extends from the source of supply indicated at the line 65,the main switch 66, the fuse 67 and the line 68 that is connected to themoving element of the switch 63 that closes to the back contact 64 whichis defined as that contact that is opened when the bellows are energizedwith fluid under pressure.

The back contact 64 is connected to the line 70 that is connected to oneside of the operating coil 71 of the thermal time delay relay, the otherside of which is connected to the line 72 thence to the fuse 73 and theline 74 and opposite side of the power supply indicated by Although andindicate the power supply and ordinarily refer to a DC. supply, thiscurrent supply may be AC. and the and indicate the opposite sidesthereof. The time delay thermal relay will open the circuit of its backcontact 75 when energized by the depletion of air from the bellowspressure switch 63.

A selector switch 76 is manual and is actuated by the customer inselecting one of four different drinks. This switch 76 has threeindependent circuits which are fed by the line 77 from the front contact75 of the relay 71 and the line 68 of the positive source of supply. Tofeed these three circuits the switch 76 has three contact hands 80, 81and 82. The contact hand 80 is connected to the line 77 and the contactbands 81 and 82 are both connected to the line 68. Each of the threehands connect to three different circuits. The first group of circuitsselected by the hand 80 connect the step relays RLl to RL4 forenergization through the contacts 64 and 65. Each of the respective steprelays are connected by the separate lines 83, 84, 85 and 86 selected bythe hand 80. The other side of these step relays RLl to RL4 areconnected together by the line 87 which in turn is connected by thefrontcontact 88 of the timer 89 that is energized by the coin controlledswitch for operating the dispenser.

The step relays have two or more contacts depending upon the number ofcans in the group they control. RL1, RL2 and RL3 each have only twocontacts each as indicated at RLlA and B, RL2A and B and RL3A and BWhereas RL4 has three contacts A, B and C. When the coils of a selectedRL relay is energized the alternate contact or B is made and the othercontact or A is broken. If this relay is again energized due to thedepletion of air in can 1, contact A closes and B opens. After the timedelay period, the relay 71 will open its contact 75 and prevent anyfurther switching of the cans until after the air pressure is restoredin the system and the bellows 60 again expands to open the circuit tothe time delay relay 71. Thus the step relay having only two contactsmerely alternates from one can to the other.

RL4 has three contacts and this step relay will open A and close B onthe first step. The next time it is energized it opens B and closes Cand the third time it is energized it opens C and closes A and steps inthis sequence. Such a control relay as RL4 would be used for a verypopular concentrate that would require two or more cans as compared withone can of concentrate in another group.

The contacts of the RL relays are supplied with their separate circuitsby the lines 90, 91, 92 and 93 and each contact of a respective step RLrelay represent a can of concentrate and thus must be provided with acorresponding pinch control valve the coils 40 of which are designatedas V1 to V9 and are connected by lines 94 to 102 respectively. Theopposite end of these electromagnetic field coils 40 are connected by acommon line 103 which in turn is connected through the contact 104 toline 72 to complete the circuit to 74.

Thus the group of RL relaysserved by the hand 80 corresponds to thegroup of their contacts served by the hand 81. The hands 80, 81 and 82are rigidly mounted to move in unison so that the corresponding RL relayand its contacts are associated with the control circuit at the sametime.

The contacts served by the hand 82 must also be mechanically mounted tocorrespond to the same selection as hands 80 and 81. However since hand82 energized only the soup water valve coil 105 and the chocolate watervalve coil 106 and there are three'groups of soup concentrate cans thenthree of the contacts connected by hand 82 may be joined by the sameline 107 to supply the soup water valve coil 105. The other contact isconnected to the line 108 to supply current to the chocolate water valvecoil 106. Both the coils 105 and 106 are connected together at theirother ends by the line 109 and the contact 110. to the line'72, thecontact 110 being actuated by a cam operated by the same timer motor 89as the contacts 88 and 104.

. When step relay contacts RLA and B are serving from one orsuccessively from two full original can's' 1 and'2 both cans arerefrigerated and are supplied with air under pressure to hold them inplace and dispense the concentrate consecutively therefrom.

Ifthe original can 1 of concentrate is being used and is controlled bystep relay RL1 and specifically contact RLlA which is closed to completethe circuitto the electromagnet valve V1 and the manual selector 76 isset as shown at Fig. 3 and a coin'is inserted to actuate the timer89 toclose all timer contacts 88, 104 and 110, current flows from 65, switch66, fuse. 67, line 68 where itbranches two ways. Since air is in can 1the bellows 61 is expandedand no current flows through contact 64.Current flows from 68 to hands 81, line 90, contact RLlA, line 94, theelectromagnet pinch valve V1, line 104, line 72, fuse 73 and returnsupply 74. Hand82 takes current from line 68 to 'line 107an d soup watervalve 105, line 109, contact 110, line 72, fuse 73 and return supply 74.Every time a coil circuit is energized when can 1 is selected a portionof its concentrate flows through the pinch valve V1 until the timermotor completes its cycle and shuts off the concentrate and the hotwater. When original. can 1 is emptied air discharges rapidly throughthe discharge line 12 collapsing the bellows and energizing RL1 causingit to open contact RLlA: and close RLIB to energize electromagneticvalve V2 controlling can 2. The fluid pressure having'been main{ tainedin can 2 by reason of the check valve 41 thereis a sufiicient amount ofair in can 2to dispense the liquid for a short period of time. Thedispensing continues through" the usage ofcan 2 and by this time can 1has been replaced by a fullcan and the next time that the RL circuit isinterrupted,'the control circuit shifts back to can 1 and can 2'may thenbe replaced.

If three or more cans are provided in thesame group for-dispensing thesame concentrate then the RL step relay must have an additional contactto make and break, using a series of three independent contacts asillustrated for RL4A, B, and C.

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be noted that the circuit illustrated isonly the initial portionof-the circuit as shown in Fig. 3 wherein thethermal time delay relay 71 has been omitted from the circuit and thefront contact 64 is connected directly to the line 77 thence totheselector switch 76 together with the line 68. This modificationmerely illustrates that is it not necessary for the operation of thecircuit to have the thermal time delay relay in the circuitof Fig. 3.

to one. of four step relay circuits indicated'at 83, 84, 8'5 and 86 asshown in Fig. 3. However, the circuit 83 in this" instance is connectedto two step relays ST1A and;ST1B that "are connected in multiple throughthe line 112 the? pushbutto'n113 and the line 87 which in turnisconnected to the contact that is closed by the cam switch 114. The camswitch 114 is connected directly to thepressure switch 63 which whenclosed connects the'line 87- through the contact 88, cam switch 114, tothe pressure contact 64' and the line 72 which represents the oppositeside of the power line as indicated in Fig. 3. The pressure switch 63'is actuated by the bellows member 115 which is connected by the line 116which line is connected to the junction block member 20 as shown inFig. 1. In like manner ST2A and ST2B are connected from line 84.

If it is desired to manually step the step relay ST1B,the

pushbutt-on 113 may 'be depressed which connects the line 112 directlywith the line 72 thus bypassing the cam switch 114 and the pressureswitch 63' when theselector is connected with the line 83.

The selector arms 80 and 82 swing together and thus connect the samecircuitswhen placed in any. selected of the four positions shown and thecircuits of the selector 80 indicated by the lines 84, 85 and 86 wouldbeduplicates of those shown. in regard to circuit 83L By the same tokenthe circuit connected with the arm 81- as indicated at 90 would also beduplicated for each of the positions indicated by the lines 91, 92 and93.

The step relay ST1A is a relay that when energized by consecutiveimpulses will energize alternate contacts.- This relay STlA is providedwith two contacts indicated at 1 17 and 118. As shown the contacts 117and 118 are connected to their respective front contacts 119 and 120 andtheir respective back contacts 121 and 122 would be connected when thestep relay STlA was energized by one impulse and at the same time openthe contacts -11 8-and 119 respectively. This contact would remain untilthe relay was againen'ergized by an impulse. Thus each impulseenergizing the coil of the STlA step relay connects the alternatecontacts 119, 120 and 121 and 122. 1 I The step relay ST1B has twocontacts 123 and 124 which function the same as contacts 117 and1 18-ofstep relay STlA. However, STlB is also provided withanother type ofcontact illustrated at 125 which normally is open but on the nextconsecutive three impulses will close and remain closed and the fourthimpulse willagain. This type of steprelay is provided.

open this contact. with a ratchet wheel energized by an electromagnet tostep a cam shaft on which-one cam having four circular ment maintainsthe contact 126 open for one impulse but a it permits the same to beclosed to contact 125 for. the next consecutive three impulses while theother cam element is merely alternating the front and backcontacts ofthe contactmembers 123 and 124.

Contact 117 of step relay STIA is connected to energize either one ofthe pinch valves V1 or V2 in the lines switch 63 in the circuit of Fig.3. In the circuit of Flg. 5 p

the line 116 is connected directly to the outlet of the junction block'20 and when a can such as the can 1. is emptied, air will be suppliedthrough'its line -12 to 94 and 95, the opposite side of these pinchvalve windings being connected by the line 183 to the front contact 104of the cam contact 105 and thence to the line 72. Thus the pinch valveV1 will remain energized-and open all the while can number 1 hasmaterial to be dis pensed therefrom and when this can is emptied andstep relay ST1A is energized, the contact 117 connects with the backcontact 121 and thus energizes pinch valve V2. can is closed by the deofthe full can 2 while the empty energization of the pinch valve V1. 7

This completes the circuit insofar as the step relay and pinch valvesare concerned. However, the operation? of the fluid pressure switch 63is somewhat diiferent inthe circuitof Fig. 5 than that of the fluidpressure the manifold of the junction block 20 and is thus efiective 7through the line 116 to the bellows 115 to close the pressure switch 63and thus permit the step relay ST1A'to be provided with an impulse. Thestep relay STIB is also provided with an impulse at the same time thatthese relays are in multiple with each other.

The air when subjected of the manifold of the junction block 20 iseffective to expand the bellows 115 and close the pressure switch 63'but when liquid occupies the manifold of the junction block 20, it isnot efiective to expand the bellows 115. Thus the operation of thebellows '115 by air from the manifold in the junction block 20 can onlyoccur when there is air passing through an empty can to this manifold inthe junction block. This provides a good check to determine whether ornot any one of the selected cans is empty.

The energization of the circuits of the soup water line 107 and thechocolate hot water line 108 are the same or function the same as thatdescribed with reference to Fig. 3.

The step relay ST1B is inserted in the circuit in combination with anindicating check relay 130 together with the lights L1 and L2 for thepurpose of indicating by pilot lights which cans are empty. There is alight for each can. Thus the light L1 is for can number 1 and the lightL2 is for can number 2 controlled by their respective pinch valves V1and V2. One side of the lights L1 and L2 is connected to the line 68 andthe other side of L2 is connected by means of the line 131 to thecontacts 120 and 129; whereas the light L1 is connected through line 132to contacts 122, 123 and front contact 133. Contact 118 whichalternately connects with front contact 120 and back contact 122 isconnected by line 134 to the heel 125, the back contact 126 of which isconnected to line 72.

Ann 79 of selector switch connects line 68 through the energizing coilof indicating relay 130, line 135 to any one of the lines 136, 137, 138and 139. As shown the selector 79 is connected to line 136 which isconnected directly to the heel 124 of ST1B the front contact of which is133.

Let it be assumed that both cans 1 and 2 are filled with liquid to bedispensed and the step relays STlA and STlB are set in accordance withthe showing in Fig. 5. When selectors 79 to 82 are each connected to thefirst position, then the circuit is set up to energize pinch valve V1for the time period of the timer 89 that controls the cam switches fordispensing the liquid from can 1. When this can becomes emptied, air isadmitted through the pipe line 12 to the manifold of the junction 20 andthus energizes the bellows 115 to close the switch 63' and exert animpulse of both of the step relays STlA and STlB owing to the fact thatthe cam switch 114 is closed by the timer and both of these switchesstep their cams to the second position as indicated by their camdiagrams below the contacts. Upon immediately stepping cam switch ST1A,the heels 117 move to the opposite position and thus energize pinchvalve V2, line 90, heel 1'17, contact 121, line 95, pinch valve V2, line103, contact 104, heel 105 to line 72. When STlB was energized, its heel125 closes with contact 126 for positions 2, 3 and 4 of cam 150, thuscompleting the circuit from 68 through light L1, line 132, contact 122,heel 118, line 134, heel 125, contact 126, to line 72 as previouslystated, thus lighting lamp L1 which will indicate that can 1 is empty.If an attendant changes can 1 to a full can before can 2 is empty, thenthe attendant may by means of the pushbutton 113 step the step relaySTIB to the position as shown in Fig.5.

Let it be assumed that the attendant did not replenish can 1 in time andcan 2 becomes empty allowing the air under pressure to again enterthrough pipe 12 to the junction block 20 and thus be effective and againexpanding the bellows 115 to close the switch 63'. This impulse stepsthe switch STlA back to the position as shown in Fig. 5 and it alsosteps the step relay ST IE to the second position wherein the heels 123and 124 are up but the heel 125 remains closed with contact 126. Cams148, 149 and 150 all move to position 3 where heels 117, 118, 123 and124 are all up. Under this setup, current flows from line 68 throughboth lamps l and 2, and lines 131 and 132 are connected together throughheel 123 and contact 128. The current from both lights thus continuingthrough lines 131 and 132, contact 120, heel 118, line 134, heel 12S,and contact 126 to line 72. Thus both lines remain lighted.

Current also flows from line 68 through the energizing coil of relay130, line 135, arm 79, line 136 through heel 124, front contact 133 toline 132 and as soon as lines 132 and 131 are connected by heel 123engaging contact 129, the circuit of relay is completed through frontcontact 120, heel 118, line 134, heel 125, contact 126 to line 72. Thecompletion of this circuit functions only when all of the cans in thefirst position of the selector switch 76 are empty and relay 130 thenbecomes energized to close its heel 140 with the contact 141 and thusenergize the light 142 to line 72 which line stands behind a sign at theselector switch indicating to the operator that the material in thatgroup is completely dispensed and that they should make anotherselection. Relay 130 also opens the heel 143 from the back contact 144to cut the supply current from line 68 to line 145 into the coils 1'46and 147 in multiple; thence to line 72 to deenergize the coils for thepurpose of permitting the mechanical fingers to be slid back intoposition then in the coil slot so that any coins dropped in the machinewhen the selection switch 76 is set at a position indicating that thematerial is completely dispensed will cause the coins to immediatelyreturn to the customer. When relay 130 is deenergized, the heel member143 closes the back contact 144 to energize the coils 146 and 147 so asto withdraw the blocking fingers. The coil 146 when energized functionsto withdraw the blocking fingers for five and ten cent pieces when inthe coil control mechanisms; whereas the coil 147 functions to withdrawthe blocking finger for the twenty-five cent coins in the coin controlmechanism. Then when cans 1 and 2 are empty and the selector arms 79 to82, which are all connected as a unit, are set to the first position therelay 130 will be immediately energized to return the coin and thelights 1 and 2 will be turned on together with the light behind themessage informing the purchaser that this selection is empty and thatthey should make another selection. The circuits completed by theselector arm 82 through the arms 107 and 108 to the hot and cold waterelectrically operated valve coils 106 and 105 function in the samemanner as that previously described in conjunction with Fig. 3. The samebeing supplied through the water supply as illustrated in Fig. 1. Fromthence it flows to the mixing manifold 20 and thence to the dispenserindicated by the outlet 25.

As shown in Fig. 5 the step relays ST2A and ST2B are connected in thesame manner as that previously described and a pushbutton 113' isprovided in the same relative position and for the same purposes as thatfor the pushbutton 113. Step relays ST2A and ST2B also are provided withthe same type of cam actuated switches as indicated. However, theseswitches including their contacts and heel members together with theircam members are given the same numbers with the exception that they havea prime added thereto and the lines 3 and 4 are employed to indicatecans 3 and 4 that are mounted in the chest as indicated in Fig. 2.

We claim:

1 A liquid container for a liquid dispensing machine having acontainer-seal carrying a fluid pressure inlet line and a valvecontrolled outlet line that extends to the bottom of the container,characterized in that said container is an original can holding theliquid to be dispensed and having a punctured passage thereinto, andsaid contamer-seal is a cap embracing said can around said punc- T39tured passage. and supporting .in sealed relation' said inlet and outletlines-extendingto.theinteriorofvsaid can, and a clamp abutmer'it'toengage said cap and the opposite side of'said can to permit a sealingpressure to be exertedbetween the-cap and said can to seal the same.

2. The original liquid container dispensing machine of claim1-characterized in that said clamp abutment engages-said captoresist theflexture of said can due to pressure supplied through saidinlet line todispense the liquid therefrom'and'to locksaid can in said clampabutment.

3. The original liquid container dispensing machine of claim 2characterized in that said clamp abutment includes an annular elastomerengaging between said cap and can around the punctured opening in thelatter to provide resilience for sealing said cap.

4. The original liquid container dispensing machine of claim 1characterized in that said cap has an annular elastomer to engage saidcan and close around the punctured passage in sealed relation.

5. The liquid dispenser of claim 4 characterized in that said originalcan stands upright and the punctured passage is in the one end of thecan and the cap with its inlet and outlet passage lines and annularelastomer engaging said can to seal over said punctured passage and oneof said clamp abutment members has clearance for the entry of said linespassing through said cap.

6. The original liquid container dispensing machine of claim 1characterized in that said cap is a frusto conical lid to engage the rimof the can to seal around the punctured passage.

7. The original liquid container dispensing machine of claim 1characterized in that said clamp abutment includes a pressure wedgemeans to engage said cap and apply sealing pressure thereto.

8. The original liquid container dispensing machine of claim 1characterized in that said container comprises a plurality of groups oforiginal cans each having its cap, an air pump with a pressure regulatorconnected through independent check valves to each fluid pressure inletline of each original can of a group containing the same liquid to bedispensed, and a fluid pressure responsive means actuated by a pressureto switch the operation to a valve controlled outlet of another originalcan.

9. A liquid dispensing machine comprising a plurality of groups oforiginal cans holding the same type of liquid to be dispensed and eachcan having a punctured passage thereinto, a seal cap embracing each canaround its punctured passage and supporting therein a fluid pressureinlet line and a valve controlled outlet line tothe exterior of eachcan, said outlet line extending to the bottom of eachcan, a clampabutment means engaging each cap to permit sealing pressure to beexerted between each cap and its respective can, an air pump with apressure regulator connected through independent check valves to eachfluid pressure inlet, a fluid pressure responsive means actuated by apressure drop to switch the operation of the dispensing machine from thevalve controlled outlet of an empty can to the valve controlled outletof a full can, said fluid pressure responsive means includes a steprelay, a thermal time delay relay and a first switch actuated by apressure bellows to energize said thermal time delay relay the frontcontact of which completes a circuit from said first switch to theoperating coil of said step relay, successive contacts on said steprelay to complete a second circuit through the valved outlet of anoriginal can of a group that is not emptied.

10. The original liquid container dispensing machine of claim 9 whichalso includes a manually controlled dispensing selector switch toconnect said second circuit that pertains to a group selected to bedispensed.

11. The valved outlet line of the structure of claim 1 characterized inthat said line is a flexible hose and said valve includes aw-fixed and a-spring. loaded \"movable to be dispensed and'each can having apunctured passage thereinto, a seal cap embracing eachcan around itspunctured'passage and supporting therein a fluid pressure inlet line anda valve controlled outlet line to the exterior of each can, said outletlineextending to'thebo'ttom of each can, a clamp abutment means engagingeach cap to permit sealing pressure to be exerted between each cap andits respective can, an air pump with a pressure regulator connectedthrough independent check valves to each fluid pressure inlet, a fluidpressure responsive means actuated by a pressure drop to switch theoperation of the dispensing machine from the valve controlled outlet ofan empty can to the valve controlled outlet of a full can, said fluidpressure responsive means includes a fluid actuated switch, closed bythe fluid pressure when a container is emptied, and a first and a secondstep relay the energizing coils of which are connected in multiple'witheach other and in series with said fluid actuated switch to energize thesame when a container is emptied, said first step switch having twoheels each with at least a front and a back contact, said second stepswitch having one heel with at least a front contact, a cam to actuatethe heels of both step relays to alternately connect front and backcontacts upon successive impulses, a third heel and a corresponding backcontact on said second step relay actuated by a cam to open said backcontact on every fourth successive impulse, said valve controlledoutlets including a spring biased pinch valve for each original liquidcontainer having an energizing coil, said pinch valve coils beingconnected alternately through said front and back contacts of said firststep relay, and a light corresponding to each of said originalcontainers and connected through said other contacts on said first andsecond step relays, the circuit of each of said lights being completedonly when the corresponding can is emptied.

13. The structure of claim 12 chraacterized in that said second steprelay has a second heel with at least one front contact in phase withits said other front contact, and a relay energized by the closing ofsaid front contacts when said lights are lit to return coins when theoriginal containers are empty.

14. A liquid dispensing machine comprising a common manifold junctionwith a dispensing discharge, a plurality of containers holding theliquid to be dispensed, means for supplying fluid under pressure to saidco-ntainers, a valve for controlling the feeding of liquid from eachcontainer to said cornmon manifold junction, means for simultaneouslyfeeding water to said common manifold junction to mix with the liquidbefore discharge, a transfer relay for selectively determining fromwhich container the liquid is to be dispensed by selectively operatingits corresponding valve, and fluid pressure op erated means actuated bythe pressure in said common manifold junction to actuate said transferrelay upon the depletion of the liquid contents in a selected container.

15. The structure of claim 14 which also includes a time delay relay tointerrupt the operation of said transfer relay until after the pressurehas been restored after the depletion of said container.

16. A liquid dispensing machine comprising a common manifold junctionwith a dispensing discharge, a plurality of groups of original cans.holding the same type of liquid to be dispensed and each can having apunctured passage thereinto, a seal cap embracing each can around itspunctured passage and supporting therein a fluid pressure inlet line anda valve controlled outlet line to the exterior of each can, said outletline extending t0 the bottom of each can, a clamp abutment meansengaging each cap and the opposite sides of said cans to permit sealingpressure to be exerted between each cap and its respective can, an airpump with a pressure regulator connected through independent checkvalves to each 5 fiuid pressure inlet, and a fluid pressure responsivemeans actuated by a pressure drop from said common manifold junction toswitch the operation of the dispensing machine from the valve controlledoutlet of an empty can 10 to the valve controlled outlet of a full can.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Richtmann Nov. 11, Samaia Apr. 15, Grontkowski May24, Epstein Feb. 21, Jordan Aug. 1, Bowman Feb. 15, Little Nov. 11, KingJuly 12,

